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7 Nepeta x faassenii - catmint is a stalwart ingredient of any summer mix. It bursts into flower with a swoosh in May, it will go on for months, especially with the benefit of a haircut in the middle of June.

8 Scabiosa ochroleuca and Knautia macedonica - all scabious are long-flowering. Literally hundreds of pin-cushion flowers are produced. Dead-heading is unnecessary as the seedheads are charming and they constitute important food for finches.

9 Geum 'Prinses Juliana' - as bright an orange as orange can be, a multitude of flowers, constantly renewed. As the older stems spread out new, vivid flowers shoot from the centre with a Roman-candle effect.

10 Anthemis tinctoria 'E C Buxton' - luscious lemon daisies on big bushy plants. Take the shears to it if it gets out of hand. It will recover immediately and be back in flower within weeks.